Whether you’re a long-time instructor or just earned your certification, stepping back to look at where the industry has come in group fitness can offers a fresh appreciation for and industry that, arguably, has never been more exciting than it is right now. ACE Certified pro Lawrence Biscontini looks at the face of group fitness—then and now.

Looking for ways to freshen up your boot-camp classes? Here is a great 45-minute circuit that both your regulars and newbies are sure to love. Designed for moderate-to-advanced clients, this workout includes appropriate regressions and extended rest periods to accommodate your less-experienced participants.

Did you hear about the fitness pro who was kicked out of a SoulCycle studio and banned from attending future classes? The news caused quite a stir, to the say the least. Shannon Fable weighs in on the controversy and offers some incredibly insightful principles to guide you in your life and work as a fitness professional.

Group fitness instructors are among the most enthusiastic, upbeat people on the planet, especially when it comes to their careers. But it can be tough to love a job that doesn’t always pay the bills. Fitness pro Shannon Fable explains four viable paths that group fitness instructors should consider if they want to expand their career paths and increase their income.

The NFL Combine, where college players perform a number of grueling tests to see if they have what it takes to compete at the professional level, is coming up soon. If you’re looking for some fun, interactive programming ideas for your personal-training clients or group-fitness participants, this event offers a great opportunity for your participants to “compete” against the best of the best by performing the same tests and drills.

January is the best month for group fitness, as newly committed exercisers flood your classes. But if we’re not careful to give our new participants reasons to keep coming back, we may find our class numbers dwindling by March. Here are three tips to up your game with newbies and keep your classes packed all year long.

Could some of the passion and enthusiasm you feel as a group fitness instructor actually turn off some potential participants? Fitness pro Shannon Fable has some challenging ideas for GFIs, explaining that many of our industry’s tried-and-true practices may not be the best way to encourage the masses to enjoy the benefits of being physically active.

There are, it seems, as many styles and approaches to yoga as there are instructors. But what do you do if your students learned their poses from instructors that followed yoga styles that are different from the one you are teaching? Go with the flow, says yoga expert Elizabeth Kovar, who urges instructors to take a more modern-day approach to teaching yoga by being respectful of other traditions and staying flexible with regards to what they consider to be right or correct form.

It’s nearly back-to-school time, which also happens to be back-to-the-gym time for many people, especially busy moms who finally get some time to focus on their fitness. Creating a welcoming environment in your classes for new participants is essential to keeping them coming back for more. Fitness expert Shannon Fable shares her best tips for helping newbies feel successful and have fun in your group fitness classes.

Ready to learn more about what separates a good group fitness instructor from one who is truly great? In part two of our series, renowned group fitness instructor Shannon Fable details the remaining top 5 traits of group fitness instructors who are most successful at taking what they love to do—lead fitness classes—and making the biggest impact on the widest variety of participants.

Like so many others, you became a group fitness instructor so you could help others enjoy the transformative benefits of exercise. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it’s also a LOT of fun! In this first of a two-part series, renowned group fitness instructor Shannon Fable details the top 10 traits of group fitness instructors who are most successful at taking what they love to do—lead fitness classes—and making the biggest impact on the widest variety of participants.

Looking for ways to maximize your workouts and shake things up a bit in 2013? Here are 5 great tips for rejuvenating your exercise routine, increasing your motivation and getting off those dreaded plateaus.

Since the late 90s when Les Mills hit the States, pre-choreography has been a source of debate among fitness professionals worldwide. Many thought the pre-choreography idea would never work in the U.S., but boy were we wrong.

The previous two posts addressed how understanding the Functional Movement and Resistance Training components of the ACE Integrated Fitness Training® (ACE IFT®) model can help you market your services when you’re asked about many popular exercise trends. This post will address how to use the cardiorespiratory training progressions of the ACE IFT® to appeal to potential clients when they ask you about popular exercise programs such as Zumba®, indoor cycling or Insanity®.

Start your new year on a healthy foot with Lawrence Biscontini's heart-pumping, full-length, 15-minute, step cardio total body workout. Leave the exercise equipment behind, clear some space and start burning fat while improving your balance. Plus, group fitness instructors can download the choreography and music playlist.

Becoming the most successful group fitness instructor and more importantly, truly helping to lead the wellness revolution one person at a time, requires broad-based appeal. Much like music and television, you can choose to exist on one end of the personality spectrum and gain notoriety, but to reach the top of the charts and win an award, it is usually better to play somewhere in the middle. Learn why this is important for your success as a fitness professional and just how to achieve this.

Far too often, in group fitness and personal training, we take for granted that those we communicate to and teach can hear us. Yes, they hear us, but we don’t often put careful attention into making our cues more succinct and effective. Find out how to be a better cuer.

While there are an abundance of asanas (commonly referred to as postures or poses) in yoga, the foundation for a physical practice should focus on practicing postures progressively in order to enhance steadiness, alertness and overall comfort — qualities referred to as sthira and sukha in the Yoga Sutras. Learn important factors to consider when sequencing your next yoga class.

In the fitness world there are two widely different tastes of a 1-on-1 personal trainer and a group fitness instructor. In many health clubs these two worlds very rarely collide yet they are a magical recipe of success for fitness professionals interested in reaching a new audience of potential clients while simultaneously creating a way to provide additional services to existing ones.